Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has revealed that his administration has approved the contract for the provision of solar security lights at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University to the tune of ₦ 98,246,649.

This is part of an effort to ensure an uninterrupted academic calendar, on the one hand, and to sustain a 24-hour power supply on the other hand to the campus so as to promote an atmosphere of learning and research.

He hoped that this project, when completed, would also enhance the security of the campus in this era of uncertainties.

Radda was speaking on Tuesday when he declared open, the 2nd International Renewable Energy Conference with a theme: “Clean Energy Transition: Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals Through Renewable Energy Technology”.

The Governor, represented by his Special Advisor on Power and Energy, Hafiz Ibrahim, announced that the state government has in phase two, recently awarded contracts for the provision of street solar lights across the length and breadth of five strategic paints in Katsina metropolis and the neighbouring Batagarawa Local Government Area.

He explained that the areas to benefit from this multi-million naira project in particular include the KTARDA Headquarters, Shinkafi-Barhim Housing Estate, the Sir Usman Nagogo Road, Katsina Central Mosque, the GRA Fly-Over-WTC Road, Steel Rolling Mill Roundabout and Dutsinma Road-Alqalam University-Kofar Kwaya-Kofar Kaura Underpass Bridge.

Ibrahim implored participants attending the conference to discuss freely, critically, and objectively and come up with workable solutions that will further spur the government to tap into their vast skills, experiences, and knowledge in achieving the goals of renewable energy.

“It is important that we also receive a comprehensive report of these engagements. In most of the carbon-emitting diesel-powered street lights with environmentally-friendly solar-lightening systems covering well over 63 km, apart from being environmentally-friendly, this solar lightening project will help curb, to some extent, security threats to the lives and properties with a 24-hour illumination of the environment, not to mention, of course, the beautification of our city.

“Conscious of these facts, we have plans for the environment from the onset. Since the coming of this administration, concerted efforts have been made to key into renewable energy as one of the means of attaining a habitable clean environment that is devoid of air pollution, the emission of carbon and other harmful smoke that endanger the survival of biodiversity.

“This conference therefore seeks to discuss ways of turning around the tides, that is the impact of climate change in a quest for our survival on this planet. It is our call to duty. Participants and stakeholders are here to discuss the viable options of utilization of renewable energy technologies in a critical and transformative way,” he noted.

The conference, held at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Auditorium, was put together by the Ibrahim Shehu Shema Centre For Renewable Energy Research of the school in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund and the National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure.

Earlier in his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Engineer Aminu Galadima, represented by a senior staffer in the agency, Mannir Abubakar, stressed that the importance of this conference cannot be overemphasized.

“The intersection of renewable energy with various SDGs plays a crucial role in addressing climate change, sustainable infrastructure, access to affordable and clean energy, among many others.

“Today uncontrollable, and sometimes insatiable man-made activities, are a threat to us all from indecent manufacturing activities to the cutting down of forests and uncontrolled consumption, we are at the receiving end.

“Over the next few days, we will explore key issues that align with the theme and sub-themes, engage in Thought-provoking discussions, and connect in meaningful ways.

“Prof A. Sambo from the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto will deliver the keynote address titled: The Role of Renewable Energy for African Nations to Attain the SDGs: The Case of Nigeria’.

“Another highlight of the conference is the presentation of lead papers by Prof Abdullahi Mati from the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, Abuja,” he stated.